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2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k

59 Ranked Colleges
3,130 Degrees Awarded
$19,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 29,810 people earned their degree in general education, making the major the 41st most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, general education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $48,719 and had an average of $23,394 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 3,130 general education graduates with average earnings and debt of $42,937 and $23,962 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking looked at 59 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality general education programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the general education program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Education (Income $75-$110k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

Out of the 59 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, this large public school handed out 258 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

Purdue not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue University - Main Campus is $17,124 for great lakes region education students whose families make $75-$110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Purdue University - Main Campus General Education Report

2
Beloit crest
Beloit College
Beloit, Wisconsin

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Beloit College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Beloit, Wisconsin, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 13 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

Beloit not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Beloit College is $12,822 for great lakes region education students whose families make $75-$110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Education at Beloit

3

Out of the 59 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this large public school awarded 124 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

U-M not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is $17,207 for Great Lakes Region Education students whose families make $75-$110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Education at U-M

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 233 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

UIUC also took the #1 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $22,400 for Great Lakes Region Education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UIUC.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about General Education at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

5
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Ivy Tech Community College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k. Ivy Tech Community College is a large school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 206 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Ivy Tech Community College is $12,123 for great lakes region education students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on General Education at Ivy Tech Community College

6

University of Michigan - Dearborn did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #6. This medium-sized school is located in Dearborn, Michigan, and it awarded 29 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Michigan - Dearborn is $17,197 for great lakes region education students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UM Dearborn General Education Report

7

Grand Valley State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Grand Valley State University is a public institution located in Allendale, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 239 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

GVSU also made our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend Grand Valley State University is $19,603 for great lakes region education students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full GVSU General Education Report

8

University of Wisconsin - Green Bay came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Green Bay is a public institution located in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 75 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Green Bay did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UW - Green Bay is $16,382 for great lakes region education students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about General Education at University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

9
Concordia University, Chicago crest
Concordia University, Chicago
River Forest, Illinois

With a ranking of #9, Concordia University, Chicago did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This medium-sized school is located in River Forest, Illinois, and it awarded 11 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Concordia University, Chicago, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Concordia University, Chicago is $18,308 for great lakes region education students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Education at Concordia University, Chicago

10

University of Wisconsin - Stout did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #10. University of Wisconsin - Stout is a medium-sized public school situated in Menomonie, Wisconsin. It awarded 89 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Stout, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Stout is $18,293 for Great Lakes Region Education students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Wisconsin - Stout General Education Report

11

Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #11. Ohio State is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 281 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Ohio State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $21,575 for Great Lakes Region Education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Full Ohio State University - Main Campus General Education Report

12

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. UWM is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 148 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region education students whose families make $75-$110k list, UWM has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $20,785 for great lakes region education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UWM.

Read more about General Education at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

13
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Eastern Michigan is a public institution located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Eastern Michigan did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $18,563 for Great Lakes Region Education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Eastern Michigan University.

Read more about General Education at Eastern Michigan

14

Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Indiana University - Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU Bloomington, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $20,234 for great lakes region education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Indiana University - Bloomington.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Education at IU Bloomington

15

Purdue University Northwest did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #15. Hammond, Indiana is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 46 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,690 for great lakes region education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Purdue Northwest.

Full Purdue Northwest General Education Report

16
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Michigan State University is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 186 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Michigan State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Michigan State is $25,297 for Great Lakes Region Education students whose families make $75-$110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Education at Michigan State

17

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #17. Stevens Point, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 58 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,503 for great lakes region education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UW - Stevens Point.

Read full report on General Education at UW - Stevens Point

18

University of Michigan - Flint did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #18. UM Flint is a public institution located in Flint, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 47 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UM Flint is $15,778 for great lakes region education students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full UM Flint General Education Report

19

University of Wisconsin - Platteville came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Platteville, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 33 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Platteville is $17,029 for great lakes region education students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on General Education at UW - Platteville

20
Saginaw Valley State University crest
Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, Michigan

Saginaw Valley State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #20. This medium-sized school is located in University Center, Michigan, and it awarded 2 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,786 for Great Lakes Region Education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Saginaw Valley State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Saginaw Valley State University General Education Report

21
Valpo crest
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, Indiana

Valparaiso University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Valparaiso University is a small school located in Valparaiso, Indiana that handed out 9 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Valpo not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $23,646 for great lakes region education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Valpo.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Education at Valparaiso University

22
Alverno crest
Alverno College
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Alverno College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Alverno is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Alverno College is $22,721 for great lakes region education students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on General Education at Alverno

23
John Carroll crest
John Carroll University
University Heights, Ohio

John Carroll University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. John Carroll is a private not-for-profit institution located in University Heights, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 40 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at John Carroll, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend John Carroll University is $25,375 for Great Lakes Region Education students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full John Carroll General Education Report

24

Kent State University at Kent landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Kent State is a large public school situated in Kent, Ohio. It awarded 63 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Kent State also took the #25 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Kent State is $21,662 for great lakes region education students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about General Education at Kent State

25
Alma crest
Alma College
Alma, Michigan

Alma College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #25. This small school is located in Alma, Michigan, and it awarded 4 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Alma not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $22,815 for Great Lakes Region Education students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Alma College.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Education at Alma College

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